BUS TRAGEDY
At least 25 dead in horror plunge as bus carrying wedding party plummets 1,600ft into mountain gorge in India
AT least 25 people were killed after a bus carrying wedding guests plummeted 1600ft into a mountain gorge in India.
The large group were travelling back from Laldhang in the Haridwar district before the coach hurtled off the road in Pauri Garhwal.
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According to officials, at least 45 people were on board when the bus terrifyingly veered off the mountain road and fell into the ravine.
More than half of the wedding party are believed to have passed away in the horror crash on Tuesday.
Rescue teams rushed to the remote area to begin trying to save survivors who were seen clinging to the side of the mountain.
The intense operation, led by the State Disaster Response Force and the police, went on into the night and resulted in the rescue of 21 passengers.
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But the treacherous terrain has hampered progress as victims were hauled from the wreckage with a complex rope system.
The group are said to have enjoyed a day of celebration before the deadly accident occurred.
The cause of the crash is not immediately clear but authorities have began an investigation into the incident.
Senior police official Swatantra Kumar Singh told ANI news agency that a rescue operation was still under way on Wednesday.
The injured were rushed to a range of nearby hospitals for treatment.
Deputy General of Police Ashok Kumar confirmed the incident and confirmed the number of deaths.
India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, described the incident as "tragic" and "heart-rending".
He wrote in a tweet: "In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope those who have been injured recover at the earliest.
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"Rescue operations are underway. All possible assistance will be provided to those affected."
Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami also offered their condolences.
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